The Elements of Functional Phonology

Phonological structures and processes are determined by the functional principles of minimization of articulatory effort and maximization of perceptual contrast. We can solve many hitherto controversial issues if we are aware of the different roles of articulation and perception in phonology. Traditionally separate devices like the segment, spreading, licensing, underspecification, feature geometry, and OCP effects, are surface phenomena created by the interaction of more fundamental principles. 1 I thank Louis Pols and Mirjam Ernestus for their comments on earlier versions of this paper. Contents 1 Functional principles ...................................................................................................... 3 2 Articulatory, perceptual, and hybrid features ................................................................. 5 3 Hybrid, articulatory, and perceptual representations.................................................... 20 4 Formalization of functional principle..